How Starmer nailed his joint presser with Trump

Keir Starmer could not have dreamed of a better press conference with Donald Trump. Much of its success was not down to luck, either: the British prime minister has meticulously prepared for these talks both in terms of substance and (very important) superficialities such as flattering the president. But instead of appearing to be a sycophant who just says whatever Trump wants to hear, Starmer ended up looking as though he was the one in control of the relationship. The president came into the press conference telling journalists that Starmer is a “very tough negotiator, however I’m not sure I like that, but that’s OK.” It was exactly the kind of compliment that suits Starmer both in the US and at home: there are few skills Trump values more than negotiating, while being described as tough prevents Starmer from being accused of licking the president’s boots.

The prime minister’s opening statement in the press conference was also pitched to flatter Trump while emphasizing that the pair had differences. He highlighted the president’s “family roots in Scotland and your close bond with His Majesty the King.” Starmer added that “in a moment of real danger around the world, this relationship matters more than ever.” The pair come from “different political traditions,” he said, but added: “There’s a lot that we have in common, and we believe it’s not taking part that counts. What counts is winning. If you don’t win, you don’t deliver, and we’re determined to deliver for the working people of Britain and America who want and deserve to see their lives improve. So we’re both in a hurry to get things done.” It was a very well-written definition of this special relationship.

What has Starmer got done from this visit? Trump said the prime minister had “tried to” persuade him not to put tariffs on the UK, adding: “He tried. He was working hard. I’ll tell you that he earned whatever the hell they pay him over there, but he tried. I think there’s a very good chance that, in the case of these two great friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary. We’ll see.”

On Ukraine, Starmer wanted to emphasize that there needed to be a “lasting peace,” while Trump said a ceasefire would happen “soon,” or not at all. The pair discussed the prime minister’s call for a security backstop for any deal, with Starmer describing that part of the talks as “productive,” and said that a “deal has to come first.”

There was no awkwardness, but there was also no fawning. Those around Starmer are utterly delighted with how well it went.  At one point Trump even paid his guest a slightly less comprehensible compliment, which was that he had a “beautiful accent.” That voice coach was worth it in the end.